1 . What if you could explore a world created by your favorite artist? What if you could walk through a city street painted by Van Gogh, a landscape by Leonardo da Vinci, or the fantastical vision of Salvador Dalf? Soon, you will be able to do these.
Glen Keane was a Disney animator (动画师). He drew some of the world’s most beloved characters. As he drew, his characters became more and more real to him, and yet, they were still confined to a 2D world. Right now, working with some of the latest technology, he is able to move his art into the magical world of virtual reality (VR).
As the artist behind some of Disney’s most beloved characters, he has works that are familiar to us. For him, animation is more than just drawing. It is a process of bringing characters to life in a 2D world. This has always disappointed Glen. How can a flat page truly express a character? “Well, what if I could draw them with the freedom of a sculptor?” he thought. He wants to explore his artistic limits and create new worlds.
Here is where he finds his way to the magic of VR. Using a tool called Tilt Brush, now Glen can draw beloved life-size characters and open up an entirely new world for his art. Think about what’s possible with this new world of art in VR. What an amazing experience it would be to see beloved life-size characters for yourself! Better yet, people all over the world can enjoy this kind of art, no matter their age or background. People who might not otherwise be able to go to the world’s big art museums can experience famous works as well.
We are only at the beginning of developing art in the digital era. So how will VR and our digital capabilities change in the coming years? More and more, it seems that we are moving away from art and technology being put in opposing camps. And as they find ways to connect, we are starting to experience boundary-pushing horizons.
1. Why does the author ask two questions in the first paragraph?| A．To express his doubts about VR. |
| B．To discuss imagination with readers. |
| C．To draw readers’ attention to the topic. |
| D．To introduce works created by famous artists. |
| A．Limited. | B．Simple. | C．Foreign. | D．Challenging. |
| A．He wanted to make his works more popular. |
| B．He was tired of creating hand-drawn works. |
| C．He hoped to experience the latest technology. |
| D．He desired to add life to his works creatively. |
| A．Advanced but costly. |
| B．Accessible and eye-opening. |
| C．Educational but unwelcome. |
| D．Romantic and environment-friendly. |
| A．Virtual reality is closely related to art. |
| B．An animator contributes much to VR technology. |
| C．An artist brings characters to life in virtual reality. |
| D．VR technology creates challenges for modern artists. |
2 . Most people suffer from what is known as “Just-me-ism”. What is that? Well, say you leave the tap running while you brush your teeth, leave a light on when you go out or you drop a piece of litter (垃圾) and can’t be bothered to pick it up. You know that all those things are wrong. But so what? “What difference can it possibly make?” you say to yourself. There are millions of people in the world and I’m just me. How can it matter if I leave one little tap running, one little light on or leave a little piece of litter on the road? “And anyway, no one will know,” Of course, it wouldn’t matter if there were just a few people in the world. But just think of all the millions of people saying to themselves: “It doesn’t matter. It’s just me. And, anyway, no one knows.” Millions of gallons of water would be wasted; millions of lights would be left on; millions of pieces of litter would be dropped. And all of this would be very harmful.
To inspire young people to take action for the environment, animals and their community, Roots & Shoots was established. This institute was set up in the early 1990s by Dr. Jane Goodall, a scientist who’s the world’s best-known expert on wild chimpanzees (黑猩猩). In addition to her research, she has been whole-heartedly committed to environmental protection, the whole purpose of Roots & Shoots is to educate young people, from preschoolers to university students, so they can help to build a future that is secure and live together in peace with nature. The organization is called Roots & Shoots because roots (根) move slowly under the ground to make a firm (坚实的) foundation, and shoots seem small and weak, but they can break open brick walls to reach the light. The roots and shoots are you, your friends and young people all around the world. Hundreds and thousands of roots and shoots can solve the problems, change the world and make it a better place to live in.
Do you think you help to make the world a better place when you make a sad person smile, when you make a dog wag (摇摆) its tail, and when you water a thirsty plant? One cheered-up person, one happy dog, one flowering plant, and you. That’s what Roots & Shoots is all about: the value and importance of each individual — human, animal or plant. Dr. Jane Goodall believes that the most important thing is that: “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference. You get to choose: Do you want to use your life to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment? Do you want to make Roots & Shoots rooted in everyone’s heart? Do you want to be a part of a community for a shared future? You cannot be absent.”
1. What does the underlined part in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．I can do whatever I like and nobody knows. |
| B．I’m unique and no one realizes it. |
| C．I’m lonely. And, no one in the world knows me. |
| D．This is who I am. And, I don’t want people to know me. |
| A．establish Roots & Shoots |
| B．educate people to build a safer future |
| C．commit to environmental protection |
| D．guide young people to create a future in harmony with nature |
| A．All the people. | B．The youth. | C．Adults. | D．Our friends. |
| A．Wait-and-see. | B．Skeptical. | C．Admiring. | D．Encouraging. |
| A．To introduce Roots & Shoots. |
| B．To point out the disadvantages of “Just-me-ism”. |
| C．To call on young people to join Roots & Shoots. |
| D．To call people to pay more attention to animals and plants. |
— ________. Just believe in yourself.
| A．Don’t bother | B．It’s up to you | C．Take it easy | D．It doesn’t work |
—________. I got up late, and when I arrived at the company, the interview had ended.
| A．No comment | B．Pretty good | C．It couldn’t be worse | D．It depends |
| A．thrill | B．guideline | C．attempt | D．battle |
| A．had learned | B．has been learning | C．is learning | D．will learn |
7 . Great European Cities
PARISParis is the capital and largest city of France, situated on River Seine. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is visited by more than eight million tourists every year. The most popular place for tourists is the Eiffel Tower, the famous symbol of Paris. One of the world’s largest art galleries, the Louvre, is also located in Paris. The city is also famous for its restaurants, cafes and theatres. About two-thirds of France’s artists and writers live in Paris.
BARCELONABarcelona is the second largest city of Spain and is situated on the northeast coast, about five hundred kilometres east of the Spanish capital, Madrid. One of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks is the Church of Sagrada Familia (圣家族大教堂), which was designed by an architect called Antonio Gaudi. Gaudi worked on the project from 1882 until his death in 1926. The church hasn’t been finished yet!
FLORENCEFlorence is an Italian city which won its fame because of the Renaissance (文艺复兴), a great artistic movement which began in the 1300s and lasted for three hundred years. During the Renaissance, some of the greatest painters of all time lived and worked in Florence. Many of Florence’s most beautiful paintings and sculptures were produced by great artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Florence is visited each year by about a million tourists who come to see the art galleries, churches and museums. The Uffizi Palace (乌菲兹美术馆) is the most famous art gallery in the city.
ATHENSAthens, the capital of Greece, is known as the birthplace of western civilization. Two thousand four hundred years ago, it was the world’s most powerful city. Buildings such as the Parthenon (帕特农神庙) on the Acropolis (雅典卫城) Hill were built during this period. Greece’s best writers lived in ancient Athens. Their work has influenced other writers ever since.
1. Which of the following is TRUE about Paris?| A．Paris is the biggest city of Europe. |
| B．Louvre is the famous symbol of Paris. |
| C． The Eiffel Tower stands in the centre of Paris. |
| D．Paris is famous for its art galleries, restaurants, cafes and theatres. |
| A．It’s the capital of Spain. |
| B．It’s to the east of Madrid. |
| C．It’s the Largest city of Spain |
| D．The Church of Sagrada Familia was completed after Gaudi’s death. |
| A．Florence is known for the Renaissance. |
| B．Florence is a city with a history of three hundred years. |
| C．The Uffizi Palace is the most popular art gallery in Italy. |
| D．Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo produced most of Florence’s paintings and sculptures. |
| A．used to be the capital of Greece | B．used to be the centre of power |
| C．was a birthplace of great buildings | D．was home to most Greek writers |
| A．A course guide. | B．A summer camp notice. |
| C．A tourist brochure. | D．A business magazine. |
| A．demonstrated | B．distinguished | C．sponsored | D．stimulated |
| A．account for | B．figure out | C．refer to | D．open up |
| A．dare | B．should | C．can | D．must |
